Matrix assembler lever mechanism



April 30 1945 J.w. POWERS y 2,399,252

MATRIX ASSEMBLER LEVER MEGHANISM `Filed Sept. 16, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet llllmml 30, 1946.

.l. W. POWERS MATRIX SSEMBLER LEVER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 30, 1946 [TED STATES PATENT VG-FF ICiE John:William :Bower-s, Burlington, Nt., assigner to .Eroe YPressAssociation, Burlington, Nit., .a corporation 'ofviermont4fAmilieatonI'Seltember 16, 19.44,SerialfNo.55i4;49

8 (llaims. ,(CLIHB-ZD "Thls-invention-frelatesgenerallytotypeffcastlng'machines which icast a *full iline V'olf type lonone body; such as'itheLinotype, "Linographfand'lntertype machines and more particularly '-to1an atl-ta'hmentme'c'hanismfor such machines for pushingthelastma'tixassembledin-afline rofmatriees "inside 'Lof thevassemblingelevator cgate 'pawls preparatoryito :their 'transfer/tothedelivery channel.

lSuch Amatrices with spacers 'are `normally released *from asupplymagazine at the top-of the machine, 'pass -onto yan endless belt Aanddown guides 'to 'be assembled by'a -star lwheel on lthe spaced vrbars-of an assembling elevator, the lassembledline 1thenbe'ing`raisedto'afdelivery tchannel.

Machines Vo'f this 'general e'type l'are subject to *frequent jamming'of "the apparatus due to l'the .failure of "the "last 'matrix to "beassembled to remain within 'the .gate `pawls uof `the elevator. This is-e'specially troublesome `when setting matrices "on the assembled duplexrail which raises the xmatrices *above the light face position *in "theassembling elevator and places =`them where-:they are castin-anitalic-orboldface.

`This'failure--causedthe matrixitojprotrudeffrom the "assemblingelevator 'so as vto "be-caught tunder 4the "assembler ychute finger,preventing the 'asfsembling felevator ffrom krising and :causing t'healreadysassenibled lmatrices and #space vbands 4:in

the fassemblng fel'evator sto :spill :out ton vthe v'strom'. l

`iator .physically 'fpush the protruding matrix for matrices within theassembling elevator gate rpawls and lhold them .-invplace 4until theassemlolingT elevator is zsaelyfraised.

' =It is, faccordingly, the .chiefobject-:of .the specs- .entinvention.to provide v(a :mechanism susceptible tof .ready :attachment ftotype-setting machines `of :the type described, which obviates.therabovediff- .cultes whether the itypeesetting vmachine is.,operatedlmanuallmelectrically, or mechanically. .Exfamples .of .such .are.the Linotype, .Intertype, .and Linographmachines whichirproducemetalslugs of varied widths .and lengths, `and .type rof .different- .style.faces from brass matrices .or moulds.

'It 'is another .important 4object of .the .present invention .toprovide an attachment for v.typesetting machines which .will 'ensure`that 4the 'las/t descending .matrix ior matrices being conveyed bythe.usual 'endless ,-assemblerbeltto Jthe vassembler 'star wheel, willvbersecured within :the assembling elevator gate 'pawls "and remainJthere r'in an '-upright position with fthe :other assembledmatrices-until `the assembling elevator llsirai-sedto afg'ivenpoint.

It is a 'further Xobject roi 'the present :invention lvto lprovide 'amatrix fassembler ilever 'mechanism lwhich ywill =positively vpreventthe i-jamming fof matricesvaboutthe levator-fgate'pawlsand which is -soconstructed as Into zremain unharmed in the `event'ithe machine being-operated should jam ffromssomeother cause.

Another object of the present invention Iis to provide a I'matrixassembler'lever 'mechanism 'for 'typeesettingmachinesfwhih will assistthe action 'of thestar 'assembler "wheel fan'd Jretain the mat` riceswithimtheelevator f'gate pawls jand which lwill be simplyfbutruggedlyfconstructed'so as uto 'have long "life without requiringffrequent adjustments.

Other "objects vand advantages nof lthe A-fpresent 1invention willbecome apparent' during 5the course jof^the following description.

Inthe drawings Ifhaveshown Y' one-'embodiment of my invention.

'Figure 1 is a dfragmentary Yfrontffelevatlon of a vltypese',i'.tingvmachine equipped A'with ithe present invention;

Figure i2 :is ra 'fragm'entary "front vlelevation to an enlarged :scaleoff 'the 'matrix 'assembler lever and'iitsassoci'atedparts Figure .4.iis La l:plan view to :an enlarged scale of :the .matrix I,push .barcomprising Aa `part of the presentinverition, .and

.Figure A5 ,isean `vexplodeig .view .of vcertain of the parts:associated .with the 4matrix assembler lever.

iReferringnowtothe drawings:

Numeral |10 designateszan endlessbelt by which the matrices -M are ifed-onto Lrails .L6 .having springs .iIfJ for delivery to Ia conventionalstar assembler ywheel i8 :for assembly within .the rails 20 vof Vthevv.elevator :22. The :matrices `I4 are ,fed "successively toithe starwheel L8 until the ele- `vater contains a lcomplete line -of -typeforportion fthereof -at1whic'htime fthe elevator-is automaticallyraised:to'etlre transfer channel. The present invention insures 'fthat thelast :matrices are npr-evented from falling outwardly of theelevatorffgate v-pawls 2li by holdin'githemin their normal uprightpositions 'until fthe i'elevator issaely raised. rThe flevator 'sideLfrail-s '2n fmay 'fbear itype fscales '2'3 'suitably ,fastenedfthereto. t-l ;.p'lu12.lity o' bored 4"brackets "25 v'formed integrallyS'des .of *the elevator '-2'2 receive f(Figure 41) fahorlzontallyextending cam follower arm 26 which is provided at its opposite end witha headed roller bearing 30 suitably mounted therein. A cam lever 34 isprovided with a slot having a bend as at 31 to receive the rollerbearing 30 and is pivoted to the machine fra-me by means of a bolt 36and secured thereto by a nut 38. An angular matrix push barlever 4l] isalso pivotallymounted on the bolt 36, extends upwardly and is providedin its upper end with an open slot 42. An apertured lug 44 is formedintegral with the rear edge of the push bar lever 40.

The push bar lever 4U is directly connected toV the cam lever 34 bymeans of a pin 4 6 one end of which is screw-threaded into the apertureof the lug 44 and its other end is received in the open slot 48 of ayoke member 50 which is pivotally mounted within an arcuate cut-outportion 52 formed in the rear edge of the cam lever 34. The portions ofthe pin 46 intermediate its ends are of greater diameter in order thatit may act as a spacing collar between levers 34 and 40. The end of thepin 46 is retained in the slot 48 of yoke 50 by means of a leaf spring54 which is provided with a slot 56 at its lower end for receiving theyoke 50, the ngers 58 which form the slot 56 bearing on and retainingthe end of the pin -46 in the slot 48 as shown (Figure 2). The leafspring 54 is suitably fastened to the rear edge of the cam lever 34 bymeans of screws, etc.

A matrix push bar 60 which is of fiat rectangular shape and providedwith an elongated slot 6'2 is supported intermediate its length in anapertured block 64 and at its right or lower end (Fig- I ures l and 2)by a -pin 65 which retains it ink position in the slot of the matrixpush bar lever 40.

A brass roller 66 is supported by a pin in the opposite end of the pushbar 60 and is the means by which a matrix is pushed in and held withinthe elevator gate pawls 24 without. injury or scratching thereof.

Although the operation of the matrix assembler lever mechanism isbelieved to be apparent,`

such operation and the functions of the various parts will now bedescribed.

As seen in Figure 2, the cam lever 34 is in its at-rest position and theelevator 22 and the camfollower arm 26 are at their lowerlimit ofmovement so that the roller bearing 3U is at the bottom of the cam leverslot 35. The cam lever 34, upon upward movement of the elevator 22 andthe arm 26, and the resulting pressure of the roll'- er bearing 3D ontherupper edge of the shortportion of the slot 35, is rotatedcounterclockwise upon the pivot bolt 36 so as to be ina verticalposition when the roller bearing 30 rounds the bend 31 ofthe slot 35.Obviously, this rotary movement of cam lever 34 is coincidental with theinitial upward movement of the elevator and after the bearing has passedthe angle 31 of the slot 35, the lever 34 is merely maintained in avertical position while the elevator moves up to the delivery channeland back downwardly until the roller bearing again reaches the bend 31to now forcethe lever 34 to rotate in a clockwise direction back to theposition shown in Figure 2. f

Due to the direct connection between the cam lever 34 andl the matrixpush bar lever 40, the latter pivots simultaneously about the bolt 36 toslide thematrix-push bar 60 angularly upwardly through theaperturedblock 64 so that the brass roller 66 moves fromuthe at-restposition beneath Iil) the assembler chute rails I6 to the dotted lineposition shown.

As shown in Figure 1, the elevator 22 has coinmenced its upward movementand a single matrix I4 is shown as projecting outwardly from theelevator gate pawls 24. Coincidental with the upward movement of theelevator, the matrix push bar 66 has movedupwardly to the left sothat'fits'brass vroller 66 contacts the projecting matrix i4 as shown.Itwill be readily apparent that further upward movement of the elevator22 and its arm 26 will rotate the cam lever 34 to its vertical positionand slide the matrix push bar roller 66 to push the matrix I4 back'within the elevator gate pawls 24 to permit the elevatorto be safelyraised without interference from the bar 60 itself. Obviously, loweringof the elevator effects a return of the cam lever 34'and matrix push barlever 4D to the at-rest position shown in Figure 2, the roller 66 of thepush bar 6I) being withdrawn under the assembler chute rails so as notto interfere with the assembly of the next line of type in the elevator.

In the event of the jamming ofV the mechanism from a cause other thanaccidental displacement of the matrix I4, the leaf spring 54 will takeup the relative motion between the cam lever 3 4 and matrix push barlever 46 supporting the matrix push bar 60 to prevent'injury to thelatter or any of its associated parts. This is an important feature ofthe present invention.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that the pres'- ent inventionconstitutes an improved 'attachment for type-setting machines which ispositively operated by motion of the velevator and is not dependent uponspring means for actuation. The mechanism may be readily attacheddirectly to type-setting machines whether automatically or manuallyoperated and is not dependent upon working parts such as ateletypesetter unit for any action. .i

This novel attachment for type-setting machines is readily adaptable toVall types; Although the elevator gate pawls diier -in length on thevarious types of machines, the matrix push bar of the present inventionwill function with all and the bar will enter within the elevator as faras permitted by the last matrix assembled. v

The importance of the mechanism comprising the present invention as anattachment for typesetting machines of all types will be readilyapparent. Its use not only definitely'prevents the jamming of theelevator by the matrices, but

causes the latter to assemble as true in the bold or italic position asin the light face position. Moreover, the renewing or replacement of thestar wheel and assembler gate pawls is required much less frequentlyinasmuch as the matrix push bar 6D compensates for the wear of theseparts. When once applied to type-castingV machines, aside from theconventional adjustments, there is no changing of adjustments whetherthe line of matrices are to be set in a short or long measure ordifferent lengths of ems.

It is to be understood that the form of vthe invention herewith shownand described is to be takenvas a preferred example of the vsame andthat 'various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement tif-partsr maybe resorted to' without departing from the spirit of the invention orthe scope of the subioined claims.

I claim:

l. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured support mountedon said machine, a matrix push bar extending through said aperture andsupported therein intermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid machine and supporting one end of Said bar, and means operated byvertical movement of the elevator to effect partial rotation of saidlever to y reciprocate said bar and push the last matrix to be assembledwithin said elevator, said means comprising a second lever pivotallymounted on said machine and coupled with said rst lever, and a rod fixedto said elevator and having a sliding connection with said second lever.

2. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured support mountedon the machine, a matrix push bar extending through said aperture andsupported therein intermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid machine and supporting one end of said bar, a second lever having aslot therein pivotally mounted on said machine and coupled with said rstlever, a rod xed to said elevator and having operative engagement withsaid Second lever and a bearing pin mounted on said rod and arranged forsliding movement within said slot to effect partial rotary movement ofsaid levers and reciprocation of said push bar upon vertical movement ofsaid elevator.

3. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel comprising an apertured support mountedon said machine,

a matrix push bar extending through said aperture and supported thereinintermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted on said Ina-- chineand supporting oneend of said bar, a second lever having a slot thereinpivotally mounted on said machine, a shouldered pin connecting andspacing said levers, a rod fixed to said elevator, and a bearing pinmounted on said rod for engagement within said slot to effect partialrotary movement of Said levers and reciprocation of said bar uponvertical movement of said elevator to push a matrix therewithin.

4. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured support mountedon said machine, a matrix push bar extending through said aperture andsupported therein intermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid machine and supporting one end of said bar, a second leverpivotally mounted on Said machine and coupled with said rst lever, andmeans mounted on said elevator and slidably connected with said secondlever to effect partial rotaryr movement of the levers and reciprocationof the bar upon vertical movement of said elevator to push a matrixtherewithin.

5. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured support mountedon said machine, a matrix push bar extending through said aperture andsupported therein intermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid machine and supporting one end of said bar, a second leverpivotally mounted on said machine and having a pin connection with saidfirst le.

ver, means mounted on said elevator and operatively connected with saidsecond lever to ef- `lect rotary movement of the levers andreciprocation of the bar upon movement of said elevator to push a matrixtherewithin, said second lever being provided with a pivotal yoke havingan open, pin-receiving slot therein, and a bifurcated spring membermounted on said second lever to straddle said yoke and retain one end ofsaid pin therein.

6. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel comprising a support mounted on themachine adjacent the elevator, a matrix push bar arranged for reciprocalmovement on said support, coupled means pivotally mounted on the machineand supporting one end of said bar, and a rod mounted on the elevatorand slidably connected with said means to effect reciprocation of Saidbar upon vertical movement of the elevator to push a matrix therewithin.

7. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a completeline of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory to theirtransfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured support mountedon the machine, a matrix push bar extending through said aperture andsupported therein intermediate its length, a lever pivotally mounted onsaid machine and supporting one end of said bar, a second lever having aslot therein pivotally mounted on said machine and coupled with saidfirst lever, a rod xed to said elevator and having sliding engagementwith said second lever and a bearing pin mounted on said rod andarranged for sliding movement within said slot to effect rotary movementof said levers and recipro.. cation of said push bar upon verticalmovement of said elevator, and means mounted on said second leverconstructed and arranged to permit uncoupling of said levers uponsubstantial relative movement therebetween.

8. A mechanism for a type-setting machine of the type wherein a'complete line of matrices are assembled in an elevator preparatory totheir transfer to a delivery channel, comprising an apertured supportmounted on said machine, a matrix push bar extending through saidaperture and supported therein intermediate its length, a leverpivotally mounted on Said machine and supporting one end of said bar, asecond lever pivotally mounted on said machine and coupled with said rstlever, and means mounted on said. elevator and slidably connected withsaid second lever to effect partial rotary movement of the levers,reciprocation of the bar upon movement of said elevator to push a matrixtherewithin, and means mounted on said second lever constructed andarranged to permit uncoupling of said levers upon substantial relativemovement therebetween.

JoHN WILLIAM POWERS.

